Hopper woke up early the next morning to Joyce squeezing his hand. Squeezing it so hard it had brought him out of a deep sleep and was now becoming rather painful. Her soft whimpers and slight twitches instantly alerted him to the problem. She was having a nightmare. Which wasn't uncommon, especially on nights when she had an altercation with her father.
Usually, she would calm down within a few minutes and her breathing would return to normal once the nightmare was over, but this time her movements got worse, her grip grew tighter. Hopper sat up then as much as he could and pressed his chest into her back, finally slipping his hand free.
"Joyce." He whispered and kissed her temple, finding it damp with sweat. He tried again to gently direct her away from the darkness and toward his voice, but she only responded with another whimper and scrunched her face, showcasing the fear in her expression.
"Joy, it's okay, wake up." He soothed, running his hand down the length of her arm.
Without warning, Joyce began to kick in her sleep as if she was trying to fight off the demons who were currently haunting her.
"Joyce, honey you gotta wake-" And she did. So suddenly it caught Hopper off guard and he didn't have a chance to move before she plowed her elbow into his nose.
"Fuck!" He yelled out of reflex, making Joyce jump from the bed and into the corner of the tree house. As she caught her bearings, Hopper laid his head back and groaned in pain, not sure if the pounding in his head was from his nose or the headache that was sure to follow.
"Oh god, Hop! I'm sorry! Shit." Joyce panicked, moving slowly back toward the bed. Her instincts not letting her rush to his side. "Fuck, are you okay?"
Hopper had closed his eyes, the brightness of the sky outside making his head pound even more. Fighting the sting of tears that usually accompany someone getting hit in the nose, he brought his hands to his face, wanting to curl in on himself.
"Hop I'm so sorry, let me see." Joyce begged as she crawled back into bed beside him. When he felt her cool palms on his cheeks, he softened and removed his hands away from his face, thankful there was only a little blood. He couldn't be mad at her, it had been an accident, but damn did it hurt.
"Ow." He whined, wanting to wipe the blood from his nose.
Joyce frowned, feeling terrible that she had hurt him and carefully reached up to run her fingers along the bridge of his nose. She sighed in relief when she realized it hadn't been broken.
"I didn't break it, so that's a plus." She informed him. Her voice still full of guilt.
"Well thank fuck for that." He attempted to joke, grabbing a handful of the sheets to lightly dab the blood away from his upper lip.
"Hopper I'm so, so sorry. Please don't be mad at me."
"Joyce, it was an accident. No worries okay? Next time I'll know to prod you with a stick or something." He grinned, hoping to lighten the mood so she wouldn't beat herself up over it. "You wouldn't happen to have any aspirin would you?"
Joyce was on her feet in an instant, going for her overnight bag. After a few seconds of rummaging, she pulled out a small bottle of pills.
"I don't have anything to wash them down with."
Figuring he got most of the blood from his face when the sheet came back clean on the last swipe, he balled it up and tossed it with the others that needed to be washed. "That's fine I'll take them dry."
He didn't miss the wrinkle of Joyce's nose at the mention of taking the pills dry. "That's really gross Hop."
He shrugged his shoulders, before reaching into the pockets of his discarded jeans and pulling out a pack of Camels. Quickly lighting his first smoke of the day, he made sure to put his lighter back in his pocket since Joyce was notorious for stealing them. Taking a quick drag, he watched as she made her way back to his side. The feel of smoke in his lungs starting to make him relax.
"Trade you." She smiled, holding out two aspirin.
Hopper takes one last drag from his cigarette, before handing it to her as she drops the pills into his other hand. Throwing his head back, he swallows them without a problem, hoping they start to kick in soon.
"I don't see how you smoke these things. They're harsh as hell." She comments, slightly coughing as she inhales through the unfiltered stick.
"You know me, Joy, I like it harsh." He teased with a wink.
Joyce rolls her eyes as she walks back to her overnight bag. Pulling out a pair of baggy jeans, she glances over her shoulder.
Taking the hint, Hopper stood from the bed and opened the wooden door leading outside. The cold from the small deck brought goosebumps to his skin almost immediately. It's colder than usual for the middle of September. Soon he would have to cover the windows of the tree house with plastic in an attempt to keep the cold out or beg his father to trust them with the kerosene heater up there. Putting his back to the open door, Hopper began to piss off the deck, hoping a strong breeze didn't come through over the next fifteen seconds.
"You don't know how easy you have it with that thing Hop. You just get to whip it out wherever and go, while I have to climb down and go squat in the woods." Joyce says from inside the tree house, letting him know she was dressed. Tucking himself into his boxers, he shut the door behind him with a smirk.
"Well, I'm sorry you weren't gifted with a dick." He laughed as he tugged on his cold jeans from the floor. Joyce made to give him his flannel back, but he held up his hand.
"You keep it, it's cold outside." He insisted.
Joyce frowned. "Hopper you know I can't. Everyone would know it's yours."
"Joyce, I'm not the only guy who wears flannel shirts at that damn school. Besides, I'm not going to risk you getting sick because you're too stubborn to wear an old shirt of mine."
"What if someone smells you on it huh? Then what am I supposed to say?"
He gave her a confused look then. "What do you mean?"
"You have a distinct smell." She admitted shyly.
Hopper raised his brow. "Oh really? And what do I smell like then?"
Joyce is quiet. Not wanting to let Hopper know that the smell of his cologne, deodorant, and just him all add up to make her favorite scent in the world.
"We're going to be late if you don't come on." She changes the subject, sliding her arms back into his flannel shirt.
Hopper lets the conversation drop for now and stores it in the back of his mind for future reference. Slinging Joyce's book bag over his shoulder, Hopper climbs down the ladder of the tree house first. Shortly after, Joyce is following his lead. Making sure the small lock they have on the hatch is in place, she climbs down slowly to not slip on the morning dew coating the aging wood. When she's within arms reach, Hopper puts his hands on her side and guides her down the rest of the way. She turns to face him, her hair still a mess from sleep.
"How about a kiss for the road?'' He asked, looking down at the beautiful woman in front of him.
Standing up on her tiptoes, Joyce is still too short to reach him. Grinning, Hopper bends down and places a soft kiss on her lips, making it linger for as long as she'll allow. When he pulls back, Joyce is looking him in the eyes, then her gaze shifts to his nose.
"It's starting to bruise." She sighs, reaching up to run her fingers down the bridge of it.
"It'll be fine Joyce, nothing to worry about, okay?" He promises.
Placing his arm around her shoulders, they begin the walk toward the farm. A walk that brought her a sense of peace, just knowing warmth and a loving family would be waiting at the end.
"Hopefully mom cooked Eggo's and bacon for breakfast." Jim comments as they wade through the tall grass, leading away from their secret retreat.
Joyce slowly makes her way to her bus stop as Hopper sighs and slides into the driver's seat of his truck, hating the fact that they couldn't just ride together. He'd been refused every time it was mentioned, so he didn't even bother asking anymore knowing it would end in them having an argument. Giving him a quick wave, Joyce watched as his light blue Chevy pulled off of his dirt road and into traffic. She prayed for a safe fifteen-minute drive toward Hawkins High. Looking to her left, she saw her bus coming over the hill. Adjusting her book bag and easing the death grip she had on her camera strap, she stepped onto the bus when it came to a stop.
"Good Morning Miss Horowitz." The driver, Miss Shelly greeted as Joyce took her usual seat right behind her.
"Good Morning Miss Shelly." Joyce replied as she settled into her seat. They talked politely about the weather and a program that Miss Shelly watched religiously to pass the time. Before too long, the bus lot at Hawkins High loomed in the distance. Passing the student parking lot, Joyce caught a quick glimpse of Hopper's truck parked neatly at the front of the lot and sighed in relief. Stepping down the three steps of the bus, Joyce was already walking into the halls of the school.
Making her way toward her locker, she kept her head down and her eyes on her feet, not wanting to draw attention to herself. Stopping outside her locker, Joyce sighed at the usual graffiti that seemed to manifest itself overnight. Her locker had been painted more times than she could count, yet the school still didn't seem to care she was a victim of ruthless teenage bullying. The usual nasty notes and slurs toward her tumbled to the floor as she opened the door. Picking up the trash, Joyce noticed a folded piece of notebook paper.
Her heart gave a slight flutter as she quickly and carefully unfolded the note.
I love the way you look in my shirt - H
Grinning like a loon, Joyce quickly refolded the note and stashed in it her spare pencil pouch at the back of her locker. The bell signaling the five-minute warning chimed through the school as Joyce grabbed her English book and headed down the hallway. English was her favorite class of the day. If only Hopper was in it with her. She sits in the front of the classroom as usual, daydreaming about Hoppers' note. Every chance she gets she buries her nose in his flannel, comforted by the fact that she has a small piece of him with her throughout the day.
Her day passes in its normal fashion. English, Calculus, World History, and finally lunch. Heading toward the cafeteria, Joyce takes the hallway in quick stride. Avoiding bumping into any of her classmates, she's successful in dodging any hurtful slurs. In the second-floor corner however, she almost runs into a tall figure who has decided to stop in the middle of the hallway to have a conversation and bumps into the guy in front of her. Joyce drops her English folder, her notes and assignments flying everywhere.
"Watch where you're going trailer trash." A snide feminine voice calls out to her as she bends over to pick up her papers. A large hand is in Joyce's line of sight and she glances up to meet Hoppers' eyes as he helps her gather her things.
"Take it easy Chrissy, it was an accident." Hopper voices as he stands and hands Joyce her papers.
"Thanks." Joyce whispers as she stuffs everything back into their folder. Moving onward to the cafeteria, Joyce could feel Hopper's eyes on her. Chrissy's voice reaches Joyce's ears.
"I don't know why you're so nice to her. She's a freak." Chrissy changes the subject when Hopper doesn't reply. "So where are we going tomorrow night?"
Joyce doesn't hear Hopper's response as she ducks into the cafeteria, anxiously needing a smoke and a few minutes to get her shit together.
Her fourth class of the day had been canceled suddenly and Joyce felt saddened at the thought of not having a substitute since that was the one class she had with Hopper today. Sighing, she heads to the library to work on a paper for English. Settling down at a table toward the end of the library, Joyce continued her outline for her paper which was due in two weeks. She had decided to do her report on Hamlet. Mystery, Death, poisoning your relatives, this was something Joyce had thought about on more than one occasion. Walking toward the Shakespeare section of the library, Joyce was lost in thought as she made her way through the maze of shelves and paperbacks. Taking a sharp right at the end of the library, Joyce is met with the sound of kissing. "Go make out in the stairwell" she thought to herself. Turning down the Shakespeare isle Joyce stopped in her tracks. Leaning against the bookshelves were Hopper and Chrissy.
Chrissy had her hands locked around the back of Hopper's neck, his resting against the shelves behind her and Joyce felt her stomach drop at the sight of them, so close together you couldn't see any space between them. Joyce took a step back, not wanting to alert the couple in front of her. That's when her baggy jeans worked their way under her shoes and made her stumble into the shelves, knocking several books to the ground.
Hopper and Chrissy abruptly broke apart, both of their eyes landing on her.
"What the hell are you doing?" Chrissy demanded as she looked down her nose at Joyce.
"Nothing, I'm just-"
"Nothing, I'm just stalking Jim." Chrissy mocked as she let go of Hopper's neck.
"You've been following us all day, and by the way Jim-" Chrissy said turning to face Hopper. "Isn't that the shirt you were wearing earlier this week?"
Joyce froze where she stood. Not knowing whether to make a run for it or to stand her ground.
"Yeah, it's my shirt. My mom gave it and a few other things that won't fit me anymore to her mom. Figured it needed to go to someone in need." He stated, looking back at the blonde.
Reaching down and taking her hand in his, Hopper lead Chrissy down the aisle and toward the front of the library without giving Joyce a second glance. An unfamiliar emotion suddenly swept over her. All she wanted to do was ball her fists up and punch the shelves surrounding her. Why she felt like this she couldn't say. She had never wanted to punch anything or anyone in her life, but the sight of Hopper threading his fingers with that tramps left a sour taste in her mouth. Knowing she would never be able to focus on her paper now, Joyce packed up her belongings and headed toward the bleachers on the football field, needing a smoke more than she ever had in her life.
Her cigarette under the bleachers did nothing at all to settle her nerves. Wanting to just be alone for a while, she decided to walk home from school. It wasn't anything she hadn't done before, having spent long hours in the library after school doing homework or working on projects.
Not even making a stop back at her locker to unload her books, Joyce began the walk home. She made it about half a mile before she heard a horn honk. She didn't bother paying it any attention until it honked again, only this time a hell of a lot closer. Looking up she saw Hopper's truck coming to a stop beside her.
"Get in, it's too cold for you to be walking." Hopper called out as he opened the passenger door to his truck.
"No thanks Hop, I need the exercise." Joyce snipped back.
"Joyce, there isn't an ounce of fat on you now come on before someone drives up behind me." He pleaded.
Ignoring him, Joyce continued walking. If she pretended he wasn't there long enough maybe he would leave. She heard the rev of an engine and glanced up as Hopper drove his truck ahead of her. She let out a sigh of relief until she realized that he had pulled over and was stepping out of his truck.
"What are you doing? I told you I didn't- Hey put me down!" Joyce yelled as her world was literally turned upside down when Hopper tossed her over his shoulder as if she were nothing more than a sack of potatoes. He opened up the driver's door on his truck and stuffed her in the cab. Climbing in, he slammed the door and turned the heat on full blast.
"Why do you always have to fight me huh? If you would just listen then things would go a hell of a lot smoother!" He scolded as he pulled back onto the road.
"What if someone sees us, Jim!?"
"I don't give a rats ass. It's cold and you're not walking back to the farm."
Joyce gave him a glare. "Who said I was going back to the farm?"
"It's Thursday Joyce. Every Thursday Momma makes that fried chicken you love with mashed potatoes, that awesome brown gravy, and green beans. You haven't missed that meal in four years. So yeah, I know what you're doing tonight. You're coming back to the farm. We're going to knock out my chores real quick, and then you're going to take a shower before we eat."
The tone of authority rang loud and clear in Hopper's voice and Joyce couldn't even bring herself to argue with him. Like a child who had just been scolded for acting out, she crossed her arms over her chest, secretly loving the heat that was pouring through the air vents.
The dirt road that led to the Hoppers Farm was bumpy, to say the least and Joyce held onto the passenger door for dear life as Hopper made the drive. Hitting a rather large hole, Hopper's driving made her small frame leave her seat, causing her to hit her head on the ceiling.
"Ow Hopper! You did that shit on purpose!" She pouted as she rubbed the sore spot on her head.
"Well maybe if you came over here instead of sitting on the far side of the cab you wouldn't move so much." Narrowing her eyes, Joyce scooted across the bench seat and into Hoppers' side. He completely failed at hiding his grin when he put his arm around Joyce's shoulder for the remainder of the trip. Coming to an abrupt stop outside of the Hopper House, the duo climbed down from the truck. Stepping up onto the front porch, Joyce hung back as Hopper opened the front door.
"Come on Joyce, I gotta change into my work clothes before we get started. You might as well come in and talk to my mom."
"I still don't think she likes me." Joyce replied wiping her shoes off before stepping into the front entryway.
Hopper rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding me? She adores you. Do you really think she would let me sleep in a tree house with you almost every night if she didn't?"
Hopper hung his coat up by the door before making his way toward the kitchen. Joyce followed hesitantly, still worried about his mom not liking her even though she'd know her practically her entire life.
"Hey, Kiddos! I was wondering when y'all were coming in." Jim's mother Mary greeted as she poked her head out from behind the fridge door.
"Yeah mom, we're fine, just stayed a little late at school." Hopper told his mother as he kissed her cheek and scooted her out of the way of the fridge. Bringing a half-gallon of milk to his lips, Hopper drank straight out of the carton.
"For God's sake Jim, get a glass!" She scolded, grabbing the milk from his hands and placing it back in the fridge.
"Don't need one now, I'm not thirsty anymore. I'll be back down in a few and we will get at it okay?" He stated at Joyce who was still standing shyly in the corner of the kitchen.
Mary shooed him up the stairs and grabbed a thermos from the counter. Pouring something from a pot on the stove into it, she quickly replaced the cap and handed it to Joyce.
"It's getting cold out there and I know you don't really like coffee. So I made some hot chocolate for you to take to the barns with you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hopper, you didn't have to do that." Joyce's quiet voice thanked the lady who had been more of a mother figure to her than her own.
"Darlin, I've been taking care of you for years, you ought to know by now I do what I do because I love you, and Jim does too."
Joyce feels her ears go red from the rush of blood to them. Just as she was about to say thanks again, Jim came bounding down the stairs, a flannel coat thrown over his arm.
"Were heading out to the stables mom, we should be back in an hour or so." Hopper informed his mom as he took his rightful spot by Joyce's side.
"If y'all get too cold come back inside and take a break, okay?" Mary instructed, looking at the both of them in that stern way only a mother can.
"Yes ma'am." Joyce replied, making her way to the front door. Before she has it open, she feels Hopper's hand on her elbow. Looking behind her, he's holding out a coat.
"Your not going out there without a coat, and don't argue either." He said as Joyce opened her mouth to protest.
"Come on, it's my coat from last year, I can't fit in it anymore."
Sighing in defeat, Joyce places the thermos she was holding onto the small bench in the entryway, before turning her back to Hopper. In a matter of seconds, he is helping her slide it up her arms. Turning her to face him, Hopper quickly zips it and adjusts the collar.
"There, now you won't be getting sick and I won't be worrying."
Joyce rolled her eyes as she bent over to pick up the thermos. "Ready to go shovel some horse shit?" She laughs as she grabbed the handle of the front door.
"I heard that young lady!" Mary's voice called from the kitchen.
Hopper couldn't contain his laugh at the look on Joyce's face as she bolted out the door and toward the barn.
Grabbing the handle to the door of the barn, Joyce has to use all of her strength to push it completely open and is instantly greeted by the excited neighs from the four horses currently hiding inside from the cold. Turning on the lights, Hopper feels a tug at his heart when he sees Joyce quietly conversing with the oldest of their horses. He's the first one by the door and everyone's favorite.
"Why don't you work on feeding and brushing them, and I'll do all the shoveling." Hopper suggests as he carefully wraps his arms around Joyce's waist, nuzzling his cold nose into the heat of her neck.
Joyce frowns. "That's not fair to you Hop, You'd be doing all of the hard work."
"It's not hard work Joyce, and besides you take forever when you're shoveling." He teases.
Joyce playfully pushes against his chest and he doesn't even move with her efforts. She shivers when he places a kiss to her neck. A kiss, that brought the scene at the library crashing back into her mind.
"So I guess things are going pretty great with Chrissy huh?' Joyce stated, not even trying to hide the disgust in her voice.
"Come on Joyce, you know that's not fair. You told me at school to act like you don't exist, which is what I was doing. I was there looking for you when Chrissy found me. Next thing I know she's throwing herself at me and then you come around the corner."
"You didn't answer my question, Jim."
"Well, what do you want me to say, Joy? That I didn't enjoy her kissing the pants off of me? I'm a guy! Of course, I was going to like it." He admits.
"So you liked it huh? Glad to know, because that kiss I gave you this morning is going to be the last one you'll get from me, Jim Hopper!"
Joyce is mad. Madder than she's ever been at Hopper and she honestly doesn't know why. He was right, he was only doing what she told him to do. Completely ignore her and act as if she didn't exist within the walls of Hawkins High. She couldn't understand her anger toward him, especially since he was doing exactly what she asked.
Taking a deep breath, Joyce went to the storage containers that housed the horse brushes. Grabbing one off the top, she set to work brushing the horses while Hopper shoveled shit and laid down fresh hay. Both of them ignored the other. Too mad to even hold a simple conversation. Finishing just as the last bit of light fades outside, they make their way back to the house. Kicking off their shoes before they go inside, they are met with the delicious smell of fryer grease and Joyce immediately heads upstairs towards the bathroom.
In the small linen closet at the back of the bathroom, Joyce finds some of the clothes that Mary has washed for her. Picking out a shirt that's two sizes too big and a pair of sweatpants, Joyce is still timid by the fact she actually has clothes in someone else's home. Why Mary and Greg put up with her she'll never know. Tuning on the water, she patiently waits for it to heat up before stepping into the shower.
The hot water cascades down her body, soothing her bruised muscles and surrounding her in a blanket of steam. She looks down over her body, taking inventory of scars, bruises, and bumps. What Hopper saw in her she would never know. Scars across her belly, shoulders, and hips that she would have to deal with for the rest of her life flashed up at her with every move she made. Sighing, she reached for her washcloth and soap she knew undoubtedly was Jim's. There was something she associated with being safe in that Old Spice smell. She washed quickly, shampooed her hair and was out within ten minutes. Wanting to make sure Hopper had enough warm water, she quickly dressed and left the bathroom.
Dinner paled in comparison to how it usually was every Thursday night. There were no giggles from the two teenagers or comments about work from Greg. Even Mary picked up on the strange behavior from the kids who were both picking at their plates. Jim was the first to ask permission to be excused. He placed his plate and silverware into the sink before going upstairs to shower. Joyce patiently waited until Mary and Greg had finished eating before she began cleaning the kitchen.
"Joyce you don't have to do that darlin', I got it taken care of." Mary's voice came over her shoulder as Greg left the kitchen, his recliner and the news on his mind.
"It's no problem Mrs. Hopper, I want to earn my keep."
Mary nodded, appreciative of the help, even though it wasn't needed. Once the dishes were clean and the table wiped down, Mary instructed her to go upstairs and get some rest. Joyce thanked her once again for her hospitality before heading up the short flight of stairs. She walked the familiar path to Hoppers bedroom and opened the door without thinking, just wanting to lie down for the night.
"Jesus! Ever heard of knocking?" Hopper yelled as he grabbed for the towel he was about to let fall from around his waist. He didn't miss the flush of Joyce's cheeks as she turned around long enough for him to slide on a pair of boxers.
Joyce didn't say a word as she went to his closet and pulled down her pillow and comforter. Folding her comforter, she placed it neatly on the ground followed by her pillow and just as she began to kneel Hopper's voice shot out from behind her.
"What are you doing Joyce?"
"Making my bed, what does it look like?"
"Umm well, it looks like you're making your bed on my floor, which isn't going to happen."
"And why not? it's the cleanest floor I've ever slept on. I should be honored really." She snips.
"Joyce you're not sleeping on the floor. Get your pillow and get in the bed." Hooper instructed, putting his hands on his hips for good measure.
"I'm not sleeping in the bed with-"
"Do you want me to throw you over my shoulder again?" He threatens.
"Hop I'm not-"
"Do you?" He asked again.
Hopper started the walk across his room to Joyce's figure and as he reaches her, his hands shoot out, grabbing her and picking her up.
"Okay! Okay! I give!" Joyce voiced as loud as she could without alerting Greg and Mary.
Hopper let go of her hips, placing her feet back on the floor.
"Always so grabby." Joyce hissed as she plucked her pillow up off of the floor.
"One day you will listen to me the first time and we won't have to argue about you being wrong." Hopper says with a smirk.
Climbing into Hopper's bed, Joyce laid on her uninjured side facing the window. Hopper walked across the length of his room and turned off the light, casting them into total darkness. She felt him crawl into bed and start to get comfortable, then not so gracefully threw his leg over hers.
"Why are you laying all over me?" Joyce huffs.
"What do you mean? I always sleep like this."
"No you don't, you just want an excuse to be close to me."
"Do you not want me close to you?"
"I didn't say that." She rolled over to face him, careful not to put too much pressure on her ribs.
"Well, what the hell do you want Joy! You want me to touch you, but not touch you. You want to sleep together, but not sleep in the same bed. You want me to ignore you at school, but be the center of my attention at home or the tree house. What do you want?! What can I do to make you happy?"
"I don't know!" She whisper screamed back at him as she scooted further away.
Arguing led to fighting and fighting led to hitting in Joyce's experience. She knew she would be fucked if she ever pushed Hopper over the edge and he lost his temper. Sensing her discomfort, Hopper began to count to twenty in his head, trying to calm the waves of emotions that were currently hitting him one after the other.
Reaching twenty, Hop lifted his hand to cup Joyce's cheek, only to have her flinch at his slight touch. The look of fright in her eyes alarmed him. Did she really think he would hurt her?
"I'm sorry Hop." she whispered, slowly trying to close the space between them.
"You know I would never do anything to hurt you right?" He questioned, gently laying his hand on her hip. Joyce nodded into his shoulder.
"I know, and you know it too. It's just a reflex. My fight or flight instincts kick in and I just have to get out of harm's way. There would be no way in hell I could take you on in a fight."
"Joyce, I promise you on everything I hold dear, that I will never lay a finger on you in anger. The only time I'll ever put my hand on you is to pull you closer, or grab your ass okay?" He hears her sigh and feels the weight literally fall off of her shoulders as she snuggles into him. He rests his cheek on the top of her head, giving her a moment to get her heart rate back under control.
"I was mad at the library today." She whispered, not even sure if he could hear her.
"Why were you mad?"
"It's hard to explain. I just turned the corner and you were there with her. She was hanging all over you, and all I wanted to do was pull her off by her hair and hit her."
Hopper lifts his head up and looks down at her. "You're jealous." He laughs, giving her a slight squeeze.
"No, I'm not jealous Hopper, it's just that she was touching you and…"
"She was touching what's yours and you weren't happy about it." He placed his cheek on top of her head again, trying to get comfortable in the full-size bed.
"Is that really what I felt in the library? Jealousy?"
Hopper intertwined their hands. "It's a hell of a feeling isn't it?"
"Yeah, I didn't like it at all. Not to mention, I didn't like her tongue down your throat."
"Well how about you put your tongue down my throat and we forget about Chrissy?" He whispered into her ear.
Her smile was all the consent he needed. Hopper leaned down and placed a slight kiss to her lips and when he felt her kiss him back, it was like every ounce of stress left his body. She gently gave his lip a questioning nip and he inhaled sharply at the sting. Gently, he put his hands on her hips and pulled her on top of him. Smiling at the sudden gasp leaving her lungs.
"Joyce, you know you're the only woman I want." He murmured as he ran his hands slowly down her sides and kissed her exposed neck.
"You're all I want too, Hop." She breathed, loving the feel of his lips on her neck. At her words Hopper stilled. Not truly wanting to believe she had said them out loud.
Running his hands through Joyce's hair, Hopper laid beneath her.
"Does this mean that you want to be with me?"
"You know I want to, more than anything, but we cant. I won't have you jeopardizing your future over a silly crush." Joyce whispered as she laid her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"You really think this is just a silly crush?"
"Hopper please, we can't. I cant. You deserve a woman who can give you the world without fear of what her father might do to the both of you." She sighed, half asleep.
Choosing his words carefully, Hopper kissed the top of her head. "I want all of those things from you Joyce. I just hope you're willing to give them one day."
Hopper was met with the sound of Joyce's soft snores. Her anger today had led to exhaustion, and the exhaustion has finally led to sleep. Holding her as tight as he could against his chest, he closed his eyes, dreaming about a day when that tree house wouldn't be the only place he could love her.
